METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CUSTOMISING COSMETIC PRODUCTS

Abstract: A machine is provided for customising a cosmetic product at point of sale to a customer. The dispensing machine of the invention includes a mechanism for receiving operating instructions about a customer's optimal formula; a series of dispensers each containing a different cosmetic composition; a mechanism for activating dosing to a common dosing chamber of certain of the cosmetic compositions and at certain concentrations as determined by the operating instructions; and a mechanism for delivering the dosed formula into a container to the customer as a cosmetic product. Other advantageous features include a temperature regulation system, dual pumps of different capacity for obtaining highly accurate dosing, a bar code labelling system, and a telemodem for remote reporting of machine failure, empty dispensers and customer information.

Description: METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CUSTOMISING COSMETIC PRODUCTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The invention concerns a machine for customising a cosmetic product at the point of sale to a customer, The Related Art Selection of the optimal colour shade is often a customer's chief concern in purchasing a cosmetic facial product. A number of companies in the industry have sought to render easier the selection process. Clinique and Clarion have installed computers at sales counters for use by the customer. Information on colour shade, oiliness and other properties of a customer's skin are punched into the computer which then determines the company's most closely matching product. Another point of sale technique has been that of custom blending. Two major companies, Prescriptives (division of Estee Lauder) and Visage (division of Revlon) begin a sale by manually evaluating a subject's skin colour. The salesperson then adjusts existing finished foundations so as to match the evaluated skin colour. Unfortunately, there are many disadvantages in manual blending. The most obvious of these is that too much time is required for a match, sometimes 30-45 minutes. On many occasions there is a poor skin match, reproducibility is poor and extensive training is required of the salesperson. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that can custom blend ingredients for delivery of a cosmetic product in a reduced period of time. Another object of the present invention is to provide a custom blending machine for ingredients to obtain a cosmetic product that matches skin properties with a particular optimum reproducible formula. A further object of the present invention is to provide a custom blending machine for ingredients to form a cosmetic product wherein the machine is suitable for placement in a department store and can readily be operated by a salesperson. A still further object of the present invention is to provide a custom blending machine for ingredients to obtain a cosmetic product that is highly accurate in dispensing each of the ingredients. These and other objects of the present invention will become more readily apparent through consideration of the following summary, drawing and detailed description which follow. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A machine for custom blending of a colour cosmetic product is provided that includes: (i) a mechanism for receiving operating instructions about a customer's optimal formula; (ii) a plurality of dispensers each containing a cosmetic composition of a different colour; (iii)a mechanism for activating dosing to a common dosing chamber of certain selected ones of the cosmetic compositions and at certain concentrations as deter¬ mined by the operating instructions; and (iv) a mechanism for delivering the dosed formula into a container to the customer as a colour cosmetic product . Advantageously, the machine may also include a mechanism for regulating temperature, in particular, to maintain uniform viscosity of any liquid cosmetic compositions; changes in viscosity would bring about different dosing speeds thereby altering the accuracy of any dosed formula. Suitable for such purpose is a combination of at least one heater and at least one fan. Best results are achieved when temperature is controlled between 20 and 27°C , preferably between 22 and 24°C. The plurality of dispensers are preferably at least five* in number. There should be a separate dispenser for each of a set of monochromatic coloured cosmetic compositions which respectively are yellow, red and black coloured compositions. The fourth and fifth dispenser preferably contain identical compositions, each of which are white coloured. Additionally, there may be a sixth dispenser that will contain a talc composition. A further dispenser may include an additive such as a sunscreen, a moisturiser, an oil absorbent organic polymer or combinations of these additives. Suitable sunscreens include titanium dioxide, oxybenzone, Parsol 1789 ® and ethylhexyl p-methoxycinnamate, as well as combinations thereof. Moisturisers may be selected from propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, glycerin, water, mineral oil and combinations thereof. Oil absorbent organic polymers are represented by acrylic polymers and PVP-Eicosene copolymers. A series of pumps are necessary as a component of the mechanism for delivery of the dosed formula. These pumps assist in transporting the different cosmetic compositions from the dispenser to the common dosing chamber leading into a container for holding the customer's finished cosmetic product. Each dispenser will be associated with at least one pump. Advantageously, the first and second of the white-coloured composition-containing dispensers will each be associated with a pump of a different pumping capacity. One of these pumps will have a capacity ranging from about 0.01 to about 0.2 g/stroke while the second pump will have a capacity ranging from greater than 0.2 to 0.5 g/stroke. The smaller of the pumps is present to increase resolution and prevent a dosing error in the colour shades. The larger of the pumps speeds delivery of the dosed formula because white is normally the largest component of the colour mix. The machine can also include an agitator for receiving the container when full with the dosed formula and for vibrating the container to achieve uniform dispersion of all dosed cosmetic compositions. A preferred agitator is a unit powered by a motor whose shaft is fixed to a counterbalance weight torque arm. A cam is attached to the arm; atop the cam is a cradle for receiving the formula dosed container. Vibration is best performed at 3,000 to 4, 000 rpm. Advantageously, there will also be present a mechanism within the machine for diagnosing and reporting any failure to deliver proper amounts of the dosed cosmetic compositions to the container. Among the types of failures diagnosed would be those resulting from a problem with insufficient cosmetic composition being within any one of the dispensers, an electrical circuit malfunction or even a pump malfunction. A telemodem may be incorporated within the machine for transmitting the aforementioned diagnosis and report via a telephone linkage to a central monitoring station remote from the machine. As a further feature, the machine may include a labelling mechanism for applying a label to the container identifying the optimal formula dispensed therein. The label can be in the form of a bar code for identifying the particular optimal formula. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Features and advantages of the present invention will more fully be appreciated by reference to the drawing in which: Fig. 1 is a highly schematic perspective view of the machine according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a highly schematic cross-sectional plan view of the machine taken along line 2 2 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a highly schematic cross-sectional view of the machine taken along line 3 3 of Fig. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Fig. 1 illustrates the machine _1 of the present invention which is utilised for custom blending of a cosmetic product such as a facial foundation, rouge, nail polish or related colour product. The machine on a front wall 2. thereof will have a window 4_ allowing access to a dosing chamber 6_. An operator can place an empty container 8_, usually an empty clear glass bottle, through the window into the dosing chamber 6_. Container _8 will be positioned to receive various cosmetic compositions from at least one, usually four or more, nozzles 10. Upon completion of fill into container _8_, the filled container is transferred to a blending chamber .12. which is accessed via window _14_ within front wall 2_ of the machine. Within blending chamber _12_ is an agitator .16. that receives the filled container and vibrates the contents to achieve uniform dispersion of all dosed cosmetic compositions. A further useful aspect of the invention may be incorporation of a labelling device JL8. for applying a label to the container thereby identifying the specific dosed formula. The label may be in the form of a bar code. Dosing chamber _6_ and blending chamber _12_ need not be separate spacial areas. For the highest efficiency, it may be desirable to combine the dosing and blending operation within a single chamber. Under such arrangement, the agitator JL6_ will be positioned directly underneath the nozzles 10. Fig. 2 illustrates a cut-away front segment of machine 1.. A series of fixed pumps 20-25 are supported in an upper area of the machine. Each of the pumps are fluidly connected to a series of six respective reservoirs identified as dispensers 20 '-25' . Reservoir .20.' and 21" each hold identical white-coloured cosmetic chemical composition A and A' . Dispensers 22' , 23' and 24' each respectively contain a yellow, a red and a black-coloured cosmetic composition identified as B, C and D. Each reservoir is fluidly connected to each respective pump. Pump 2_0 has a different pumping capacity than pump 21, each of which pumps are employed to transfer an identical white-coloured cosmetic composition. More particularly, the smaller pump 2_0 . has a pumping capacity ranging from about 0.01 to 0.2 g/stroke, preferably from about 0.05 to 0.15 g/stroke. The larger pump 2_1 has a pumping capacity greater than about 0.2 to 0.5 g/stroke, preferably between 0.25 to 0.35 g/stroke. A programmable logic controller 2_6 is positioned within machine 1 to receive operating instructions concerning the optimal formula to be dispensed. These operating instructions can be delivered electronically via a device that measures a customer's specific skin requirements or via mechanical input from a human expert assigning an optimal formula. The programmable logic controller 2jS. is electronically connected to a series of control relays 2 . that activate movement of pumps 20-25. Besides the coloured cosmetic compositions, there also is a talc composition E held within dispenser 25' comprising talc and a fluid carrier. Composition E is utilised as a facial coverage modifier and finish adjuster, i.e. matte or dewy finish, for foundation cosmetic products. Particularly suitable as pumps are the ProMinent Gamma/4 pumps available from Dosiertechnik GmbH. Each -of the dispensers 20 ' -25' has an associated liquid level monitor/switch device 20' ' -25' ' to identify the amount of cosmetic composition still remaining in the reservoir of the respective dispensers. Level indicator lights .30 . connect to respective liquid level switches 20' '-25' ' . These level indicator lights .30. are arranged along front wall 2. of machine 1.. Additionally, machine 1, will include a power switch .32. for electrically energizing the machine, a fill switch .34 . for energising the dosing mechanism and a mixer switch for initiating rotation of spinner 16. Fig. 3 best illustrates the temperature regulating system within the machine . - This system consists of a cooling fan .38. and heater Q_ which are regulated by a temperature controller 4. having a high and low controlling mechanism, respectively .43 . and .44.. Temperature must be maintained between 20 and 27°C, preferably between 22 and 24°C , to maintain uniform viscosity of the liquid cosmetic composi- tions; changes in viscosity would bring about different dosing speeds thereby altering the accuracy of the dosed formula. Within the housing of machine 1_ is a mechanism .4j6. for diagnosing and reporting any failure to deliver proper amounts of the dosed compositions to the container. A telemodem 4J3 . is also present within the housing for transmitting a failure diagnosis report generated by mechanism 4. via telephone linkage to a central monitoring station remote .50 . remote from machine 1.. A further function of telemodem 4J3 is transmission of data concerning cosmetic composition usage, customer identification with a respective optimal formula and related data. The foregoing description illustrates selected embodiments of the present invention and in light thereof variations and modifications will be suggested to one skilled in the art, all of which are within the spirit and purview of this invention.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A machine for custom blending of a colour cosmetic product comprising: (i) a means for receiving operating instructions about a customer's optimal formula; (ii) a plurality of dispensers each containing a cosmetic composition of a different colour: (iii)a means for activating dosing to a common dosing chamber of certain selected ones of the cosmetic compositions and at certain concentrations as determined by the operating instructions; and (iv) a means for delivering the dosed formula into a container to the customer as a colour cosmetic product. 2. A machine according to claim 1 further comprising a means for regulating temperature within said machine to maintain said cosmetic compositions at a constant viscosity. 3. The machine according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the means for delivering the dosed formula includes a plurality of pumps, each pump being associated with one of said dispensers to deliver a respective cosmetic composition into said container. 4. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said plurality of dispensers comprise four dispensers containing cosmetic compositions having respectively the colours white, yellow, red and black. A machine according to claim 4 wherein a fifth dispenser contains a cosmetic composition that is identical to said cosmetic composition having the colour white. A machine according to claim 5 wherein a first and a second of said dispensers for said white-coloured cosmetic compositions is associated each with a pump of a different pumping capacity. 7. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims comprising at least one further dispenser for a cosmetic composition that comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of talc, a sunscreen composition, a moisturiser, an oil absorbent organic polymer and combinations thereof. 8. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising an agitator for receiving said container when full with said dosed formula and for vibrating said container to achieve uniform dispersion of all dosed chemical compositions. 9. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a means for diagnosing and reporting any failure to deliver proper amounts of dosed cosmetic composition to said container, and, optionally, a telemodem for transmitting said diagnosis and report via telephone linkage to a central monitoring station remote from said machine. 10. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a labelling means for applying a label to said container identifying the optimal formula dispensed therein, said label preferably including a bar code for said identification.

Inventors: BROWN RICHARD WILLIAM, BROWN, RICHARD, WILLIAM
Applicants: UNILEVER NV, UNILEVER PLC, UNILEVER N.V.
Application year: 1994
Main classification: B01F13
IPC codes: A61K8, A61Q1, A61Q3, B01F13, B01F15, B44D3